How to keep track of orchids?

[Allan panda]

As the list of orchids grow longer and longer by time, it isn't hard to remember every single one. So what are some ways you keep track of the orchids growth?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Take photos continually over a period of time. It is easier to do with the faster growing orchids. The slower growing ones can be documented in this manner too, you just have to figure how often to take photos. This is very easy to do now that photographs are digital. You don't even have to own a professional camera. A cell phone camera is sufficient in some cases.

[fooferdoggie]

I use notes on my iPhone and mac I use a picture and the name and info of each one like so. this syncs with my wife phone so she has the info too.

[jkofferdahl]

I keep an Excel sheet listing details of the plants, in alphabetical order, and with links to the photos. The spreadsheet is accessible from my computer, phone, and iPad. Simple, and very effective.

[SaraJean]

I use google docs. I have the app on my phone so I can take pictures of growth and add it to the document right then and there. I have the different sections for each genera and then each orchid is listed underneath in alphabetical order. I have purchase date, size of plant (I.e number of pseudobulbs, size of pot) and age of plant (if know, or just division vs seedling and such) listed first next to each one. Then I list the date of each repot, size/type of pot or mount, and type of media. Then I add any notes such as winter rest period, rot problems with treatments given, or anything unusual, in the bullet point underneath and finally, pictures of growth with dates
Edit: I'm also now doing spike development pictures as well


I promise.... It sounds more tedious than it actually is, once I got it set up, and I truly enjoy having all of the documentation of what's working and what isn't

[Rothrock42]

I have an actual paper book. I give each orchid a page. I note down things like when/where acquired, repottings, when I notice new growths or flower spikes, when flowers open, how many, and how long they last. I find the immediacy of grabbing a pen and writing it down is something I will actually do, whereas a computer or phone is somehow more of a "chore."

I do take a lot of photos and look back at them too. And once I left my orchid journal on top of the car where it promptly flew off on the highway. I had to go back through my posts here and the photos on my phone to reconstruct it as best I could!

[CJ Green]

Like Rothrock42, I use a book. I only have 15 orchids, and I'm not likely to get too many more, so a book is feasible for me. Also, I use a computer for work (two, actually) and I like taking a break from the screen. I actually enjoy putting pen to paper, drawing graphs, etc. So I bought gel pens and got a nice Moleskine journal with a grid pattern. This is what I've included:

A graph recording temperature and humidity in my windowsill growing areas. (I take readings once a week and plan to do it for one year, to get an overall picture.)
Care charts for the eight kinds of orchids I have (light requirements, watering, fertilizer type, etc), so I can use this as a quick reference.
A list of my orchids
A wish list of orchids I want
A monthly journal that describes the condition of the orchids--new growth, leaf condition, etc. And a record of when I water and feed them.
A section on potting media, with a description of the different kinds and what is supposed to be suitable for which plants. And a record of what I've potted various orchids in and how they're faring in that medium.

I don't intend to keep up this level of recording stuff forever. But for now, as a beginner, it's helping me figure out the best way to care for the plants I have. And in the process I'm creating an orchid care book that's customized for me.

I also take photos and date them, and I have a Pinterest page that's a wish list for orchids that would do well in my house.

[Rothrock42]

CJ Green...well thanks for that! Now I'm going to have to keep a chart of temp and humidity! I'd been thinking about it for awhile, but hadn't done it now I think I'll have to.

I'm pretty new to orchids as well about a year and a half. I do find that I write more about new genera or ones that are different from the others. And over time the notations become less and shorter.

[CJ Green]

Originally Posted by Rothrock42

CJ Green...well thanks for that! Now I'm going to have to keep a chart of temp and humidity! I'd been thinking about it for awhile, but hadn't done it now I think I'll have to.

I'm pretty new to orchids as well about a year and a half. I do find that I write more about new genera or ones that are different from the others. And over time the notations become less and shorter.

Sorry! As a windowsill grower who doesn't plan to invest in a humidifying system, I was especially curious about what my humidity levels were. My plants are literally right on the windowsill, most of them in a very large window over my kitchen sink. So far it's been really interesting to note the ranges of temperature and humidity, sometimes a very large range within one day. But I'm not very scientific about it--I just do it once a week on any day I remember. It could be rainy, it could be sunny. I figure it will all sort of even out and give me a general idea.

[estación seca]

An Orchid Board member sells an app that is an orchid database.
An orchid tracking system . . .
I haven't tried it, but people here who did try it liked it.

I use a database program for mine. A spreadsheet also works well. These are the field I record:

Serial - Year acquired - Month acquired - Date acquired - Genus - species - Family - Acquired from 1 - Acquired from 2 - Acquired from 3 - Vendor product number - Price - State acquired - Where now - Notes

If I had more free time I would keep it on a web page on the Internet so I could look at it and modify it on my phone while working in my collection.